Black Seed Oil Protects against Levofloxacin Hepatotoxicity: Analyses of the Biochemical and Histopathological Effects

Background: Long-term use of levofloxacin can cause alterations in the liver function. This study aimed to determine the protective effect of black seed oil (BSO) against liver injury due to levofloxacin administration in rats. Methods: The chemical composition of BSO was analyzed with gas chromatography and mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS). Rats (n=30) were treated daily with levofloxacin and BSO at three doses (1, 2 or 4 ml/kg) orally for 28 days. The presence of liver injury was determined based on serum biomarkers and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and histopathological examinations. Results: The GC-MS analyses showed that BSO contained 25 chemical compounds, including thymoquinone (10.14%). The levofloxacin administration significantly increased the liver enzymes and MDA levels, and induced a marked alteration in the liver histological structures. Treatments of rats with one or two ml/kg BSO significantly decreased the liver enzymes, and MDA levels compared to those that received levofloxacin alone (P<0.05). However, the highest dose (4 ml/kg) BSO failed to improve liver MDA levels. The recovery of liver histological damages was also observed in rats treated with BSO. Conclusions: It was concluded that the BSO administration reduced the liver dysfunction due to levofloxacin at doses of 1 or 2 ml/kg, but not at 4ml/kg. Further research is warranted to explore if the protective effect of BSO is associated with its antioxidant properties.